Funeral pre-planning entails a handful of different elements, from seeking grief support to choosing a funeral home. The obituary is another important factor to consider after the passing of a loved one. It’s important that you write one that honors your loved one. Keep reading for a closer look at these tips for writing an obituary.

Paint a picture.
When you write an obituary for a loved one, think about the qualities that made the person so special. An obituary gives people a chance to see a deceased friend, family member, or acquaintance in the same light in which their closest loved ones saw them. Take this opportunity to write kind words about your deceased loved one; talk about what he or she liked to do, discuss prevalent personality traits, and mention a few things that the person considered important in life.

Name surviving family members.
In addition to describing the deceased, obituaries will commonly name surviving family members. You can mention any kids or grandkids the departed may have had, and you can also talk about his or her parents. Think about the people whom your loved one was closest with; you don’t necessarily have to limit your mentions to immediate family. Family members will appreciate being included in the obituary of their cherished friend or relative. People who read the obituaries might not necessarily know your friend or relative’s name, but they could recognize yours and extend their condolences to your family.

Offer details about memorial services.
One of the most practical purposes of an obituary is making people aware of memorial services. Wakes, funerals, and cremation services typically happen shortly after a person passes, and people have busy schedules. There may be people who care for your lost loved one who were not otherwise aware of his or her passing; an obituary can allow these people to attend the funeral services.

If you want to learn more about writing an obituary or planning a funeral near Oakland, contact Chapel of the Chimes Oakland . Give us a call at (510) 654-0123 to get more information about our funeral planning and grief support services.

If you or a loved one is considering cremation, you should consider columbariums. Planning ahead can help ensure that your funeral services are executed properly. Watch this video if you are interested in understanding the purpose of a columbarium.

Although cremation is a completely separate option from a standard funeral and burial, the two alternatives share a few similarities. If you opt for cremation, your ashes will likely be stored in an urn. This urn may reside in a columbarium, which is a place where people can memorialize their lost loved ones. In this way, a columbarium is much like a traditional gravesite. Friends and family members can leave flowers, heirlooms, and other memorial items that remind them of the departed.

Learn more about cremation services available near Oakland by contacting Chapel of the Chimes Oakland. Call us at (510) 654-0123 to get answers to your questions about cremation services and funeral planning.

The Buddhist way of life teaches that death is a natural part of the life cycle and that it is necessary for a person who is dying to mentally prepare for the next incarnation. The Buddha did not leave specific instructions for preferred funeral services and so Buddhist funeral traditions can be flexible. However, there are some traditions that Buddhist families will generally follow after a death and at the funeral home.

Preparations

Buddhist families prefer that the dying process take place in a calm, peaceful setting. When the individual dies, family members are expected to cleanse the body. The decedent is dressed in everyday clothes, rather than garments for special occasions. Some Buddhist families prefer that the body be left in place for at least four hours before being moved to a funeral home. However, if the decedent wanted to donate his or her corneas or organs, then the proper authorities should be notified shortly after the death. Some Buddhist families prefer to avoid embalming when local regulations will permit this.

Visitation

If a visitation or wake will be held, it is appropriate for the family to choose a simple casket and to arrange the altar with candles, incense, and other offerings. The decedent’s portrait and an image of the Buddha may be displayed.

Funeral

The family may choose to have a teacher or other member of the Buddhist community perform chants. If this is not possible, then the family may perform chants or set up an audio recording of chanting. The chants should be focused on life’s impermanence and the transference of merit. It is traditional, though not required, for a Buddhist to be cremated. Cremation services follow the precedent established by the Buddha. However, some families may prefer burial. During all of the services, it is expected that the family and other mourners wear white. Head coverings should be removed during chanting or other rites.

At Chapel of the Chimes Oakland, your family will find compassionate and culturally sensitive funeral services in Oakland. Our funeral home works closely with each family to ensure that the funeral or cremation services are an appropriately personalized celebration of life. Call (510) 654-0123 to speak with a funeral director.

When you are preparing to go to a funeral home for a visitation or to attend funeral services at a place of worship, it’s important to present a respectful, solemn appearance. Men and ladies should choose conservative, dark clothing, although it is not strictly necessary to wear all black. For ladies, it’s a good idea to use neutral makeup that isn’t too bold.

You can hear some helpful makeup tips by watching this video. This stylist recommends choosing shades of light brown or taupe for eyeshadow. She also recommends applying a light layer of waterproof mascara and a neutral lip gloss.

When you’re getting ready to attend funeral services in Oakland, remember to select an elegant floral arrangement to send to the funeral home or bring to the family’s home afterward. Chapel of the Chimes Oakland offers beautiful baskets, sprays, and dish gardens at our online store. Call (510) 654-0123 for assistance.

Before departing the funeral home to go to the memorial park, it is likely that one or more mourners will give a eulogy in the decedent’s honor. If you have been asked to give a eulogy, it’s best to be prepared with an outline of your thoughts. Eulogies do not need to encompass the entirety of the person’s life. Rather, they are brief discussions of one or two important aspects of the individual’s life. If you are not a family member, you might discuss how you first met the decedent and the way in which he or she touched your life. If you are a family member, consider talking about the special bond that you and the decedent shared.

When preparing your eulogy, try to identify one or two characteristics of the decedent to focus on. You might discuss the decedent’s tireless work with local charities, for example, or his or her devotion to family. It is acceptable to include a humorous story about the decedent if you feel the story is appropriate.

For more than 100 years, Chapel of the Chimes Oakland has been serving our community by providing respectful funeral pre-planning services, cremation services , and burial at our serene memorial park in Oakland. Call a funeral director at (510) 654-0123 and let us know how we can assist your family.

Long after the funeral and cremation services, individuals who are bereaved often have trouble finding ways of moving forward. As a friend or family member of a mourner, you might be unsure of how to help your loved one during this difficult time. Since grief is personal and no two people will respond in the same way, it’s best to let your loved one be your guide when you’re trying to provide grief support .

What Not to Say

There are many appropriate things you could say to a mourner, but it’s equally as important to know what not to say. It’s usually best to avoid platitudes such as “He or she is in a better place” and “I know how you feel.” As a general rule of thumb, avoid voicing your own religious beliefs unless they are solicited and avoid making statements that begin with “You should” or “You will.” It’s also best to avoid trying to cheer up a mourner; grief is a healthy, natural response to loss and your loved one needs time to work through it without feeling rushed.

What to Say

When talking about the loss with your loved one, it’s important to acknowledge his or her feelings. Be genuine in offering your condolences . You might say, for instance, “I’m sorry that you’re going through this.” You could also tell your loved one that you’re not sure exactly what you should say, but that you want your loved one to know that you care. It isn’t necessary to talk the entire time you’re visiting with your loved one. Often, sitting in silence is comforting.

What to Do

After a loss, bereaved family members may have problems functioning and thinking clearly. You could extend an open-ended offer of your assistance, but your loved one might not know how to accept your offer. Instead, offer to do specific tasks or errands, such as shopping for groceries, providing childcare, or locating a reputable estate lawyer.

At Chapel of the Chimes Oakland , you’ll find an array of compassionate grief support services. We are a funeral home and memorial park in Oakland that has been providing loving service to our neighbors for more than 100 years. Visit us online to access our grief support services or call (510) 654-0123.

Planning a cremation ceremony can be a challenging task if you’ve recently lost a loved one. Remember that choosing cremation doesn’t mean you can’t have a memorial or funeral service. If it suits you and your loved ones, you can choose to have a religious or non-religious service to honor the memory of your loved one before or after the cremation process. Talk to your local funeral home about arranging for a ceremony to fit your preferences.

After the body is cremated, you have several options. You may bury the remains in a casket or urn during a traditional funeral service at a cemetery. Or, you may choose to place the urn in the niche of a columbarium or inside a memorial bench. Some families decide to scatter the ashes in a special place or keep the urn at the home of a family member.

Do you need to plan cremation services near Oakland ? Chapel of the Chimes Oakland is a funeral home that is dedicated to helping those who have lost a loved one create personalized cremation services. Call (510) 654-0123 today to learn more about planning a cremation ceremony.

Attending a funeral can be a challenging experience. You may be experiencing feelings of grief during the service, or you may be there to support others as they grieve. Whether you are attending a cremation service or traditional funeral service in a cemetery, there are a few things you should keep in mind.

First, remember that the purpose of attending a funeral is usually to support the family of the deceased. It’s important to arrive early at the funeral home and show your respect to the family. Ask them if there’s anything you can do during their time of grief. This will help show your support.

If you’re in search of funeral homes in Oakland, consider visiting Chapel of the Chimes Oakland . Our funeral home and beautiful grounds offer many memorialization options, including cremation services and funeral services. Call (510) 654-0123 for more information about planning a funeral with Chapel of the Chimes.

If you’re considering cremation during your funeral pre-planning or are preparing for the cremation service of a loved one, you may also want to consider a columbarium. Columbariums are an above-ground memorialization option that is often confused with mausoleums. Keep reading to learn more about the uses of columbariums.

The Original Columbariums

Before columbariums were associated with people, they were actually associated with birds. Early columbariums were homes for large groups of pigeons and doves in Ancient Rome, and were common among people who raised these birds for domestic purposes. The original columbariums contained small shelves that housed the birds. In today’s columbariums, however, these shelves are used for another purpose.

Columbariums vs. Mausoleums

Columbariums are often confused with mausoleums because the purposes of the two types of memorial buildings are very similar. Both are built with the intention of housing the remains of many different people at once—some may even be public memorials for hundreds of different people. However, mausoleums are intended to hold the entire bodies of the deceased; in this way, they act as a type of above-ground burial. Columbariums, on the other hand, contain cremation urns. Some types of memorial buildings act as both mausoleums and columbariums and may simply be referred to as mausoleums.

The Structure of Columbariums

Columbariums may be elaborate or simple structures, depending on their size and architectural style. Typically, the buildings contain the remains of people from a variety of different religions. Therefore, the structures themselves do not contain any religious markings. Rather, the individual niches and urns may be marked with religious symbols.

If you’re looking for funeral homes with columbariums in Oakland , contact Chapel of the Chimes Oakland. Our columbariums are an above-ground memorialization option that may be the right fit for your needs or the needs of your loved ones. Call (510) 654-0123 today for more information about our columbariums, cremation services, and other funeral planning services.